Atalanta vs Arsenal prediction, betting tips and odds: Busy period may be too much for the Gunners

Where to watch Atalanta vs Arsenal

You can watch Atalanta vs Arsenal in the Champions League at 8pm on Thursday 19th September, live on TNT Sports 1

Match prediction & best bet

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Atalanta vs Arsenal odds

Atalanta 16-5
Arsenal 20-23
Draw 14-5

Odds correct at time of publishing

Atalanta vs Arsenal predictions

Four days on from a north London derby success over Tottenham and three days prior to a crunch clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City, Arsenal have a vulnerable look to them in their Champions League opener away to last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta.

The Gunners had to dig deep to grind out a 1-0 victory at Tottenham on Sunday and Mikel Arteta is sure to have one eye on this weekend’s title tussle with City, who are four from four in the Premier League and already setting a ferocious pace.

Arsenal have taken ten points from their four league outings, conceding just once, and they will be reliant on their strong defensive foundations to get them through a busy spell.

However, Arsenal suffered defeats away at Lens, Porto and Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League and they were also frustrated in a 1-1 draw at Eredivisie outfit PSV.

With eight games to play in the league phase of this season's competition following its revamp, the Gunners can afford the occasional blip and Sunday’s trip to City is likely to carry greater significance.

Injuries make it difficult for Arteta to shuffle his pack too much, though, and with captain Martin Odegaard still sidelined, the Spaniard will be desperate to have Bukayo Saka fit after he limped off late in the victory at Tottenham.

Reports about Saka's availability have been positive but they may still struggle to record a victory at the Gewiss Stadium, where Atalanta have lost only three of their last 20 matches.

La Dea were scintillating in last season’s Europa League final as they inflicted the only defeat of the whole campaign on Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen – and did so convincingly in a 3-0 rout.

Former Everton, Fulham and Leicester man Ademola Lookman scored all three goals in their final win and the tricky winger can cause problems for Arsenal alongside Italy international striker Mateo Retegui, who has scored four goals in as many appearances since arriving from Genoa.

Atalanta's victory over Leverkusen wasn’t their only standout performance in Europe last season as they also beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

That highlights what Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are capable of and this will be a fierce test for Arsenal, who looked laboured on their European travels last term.

Key stat

Atalanta have won six of their last seven home matches.

Atalanta vs Arsenal team news

Atalanta
Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini are long-term absentees and Rafael Toloi and Ben Godfrey remain sidelined. However, former Arsenal man Sead Kolasinac and Berat Djimsiti are back in contention.

Arsenal
Declan Rice returns from his domestic suspension while Riccardo Calafiori took part in training on Wednesday. Captain Martin Odegaard is sidelined alongside Mikel Merino, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko but Bukayo Saka is expected to be involved despite being forced off late in Sunday’s win at Tottenham.

Probable teams

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui.
Subs: Cuadrado, Pasalic, Zaniolo, Zappacosta, Comi, Brescianini, Palestra, Samardzic.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Sterling; Havertz.
Subs: Calafiori, Kabia, Kiwior, Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly.

Inside info

Atalanta

Star man Ademola Lookman
Top scorer Mateo Retegui
Penalty taker Mateo Retegui
Card magnet Marten de Roon
Assist ace Ademola Lookman
Set-piece aerial threat Isak Hien

Arsenal

Star man Bukayo Saka
Top scorer Kai Havertz
Penalty taker Bukayo Saka
Card magnet Jurrien Timber
Assist ace Bukayo Saka
Set-piece aerial threat Gabriel

Atalanta vs Arsenal bet builder predictions

Under 3.5 goals
Only two of Arsenal's last 12 matches have featured four or more goals, with this season's four outings staying under 2.5.

Mateo Retegui to have a shot on target
The Italy international has hit the ground running since arriving at Atalanta with four goals in as many appearances.

Marten de Roon to be shown a card
The Dutch midfielder will be entrusted to disrupt Arsenal and he has already been booked twice in four league games this season.

Pays out at 11-2 with bet365

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